He dropped from a projected lottery pick to a second-rounder because of concerns about his work ethic and BBIQ, concerns which seemed to prove true. Has playing pro ball in China and Lebanon fixed his attitude? Some rumors say that his draft stock slid because of a severe case of ADD which he stopped taking medication for halfway through his freshman year in college. Is this really a problem and, if so, has it been addressed?
If I were a GM, his athletic ability and D-League stats would not interest me in taking a shot on Whiteside unless I thought the mental aspects of his game have been fixed.
I understand this, but we're not going to invest a ton on him as a flier, "see what we can get" type of signing, and we can get a diamond in the rough. If those issues are not yet fixed then all will probably gamble is a veteran minimum contract.
There's still a ton of defensive upside on this kid to not get an NBA shot. Might as well be us giving it.
At this point, I am convinced that there is more to be gained by passing over athletically gifted guys who didn't succeed in the NBA because of work ethic and inability to learn how to play at the higher levels in favor of skilled players who work hard but have only average NBA athleticism.
Jay Bilas pegged Whiteside right when he said, "He could be Patrick O'Bryant". Unless there is evidence of an improvement in attitude and maturity, I'd rather find the next guy who went undrafted like Greg Smith or Greg Stiemsma.
More to gain by not giving a flier on him in what way?
Just look at this scenario for a while. Lets say we offer him a 2 year minimum deal with the next being unguaranteed. Let's call it a "trial" offer. At worst we trade someone we dont really use to open up a roster room for him.
If he is a failed experiment because of his work ethic , all we'll do is give him a 1 year minimum. We'd still be losing games and still get a high draft pick. We'd open a roster spot by cutting him before his 2nd year is guaranteed. We lose nothing except what, $700k, which in the NBA is NOTHING.
If the experiment works. We get a young big, a rim protector and a guy who can clean the boards that could either help us moving forward or be another trade chip to land as a better player.
This is why it's called a gamble. But this is a gamble in which we're not investing a lot, and could gain a lot. If his work ethic sucks, then we stop. But what if he changed? What if he turned out to be Greg Steimsma, or better?
We only need a minimum offer (or a roster spot). That's all we're gambling on him.